The Tamil Nadu Idol Wing CID on Sunday conducted a search at the Guindy office of Chennai-based businessman Ranvir Shah in connection with an idol smuggling case and seized five antique wooden vahanas (ceremonial mounts), as reported in Dinamalar.
The seized artefacts include a Garuda Vahana, a Simha Vahana (lion mount), an elephant Vahana and two Rishaba Vahanas (bull mounts). The Idol Wing reportedly took the artefacts for further examination as part of the ongoing investigation.
The search was conducted as the Idol Wing is preparing to file a charge sheet against Shah and his associate Kiran Rao in the long-pending case.
Case Dates Back To 2016
The case dates back to 2016, when Chennai-based antique dealer Deenadayalan was arrested in connection with an idol-smuggling investigation.
During the investigation, police reportedly found that Shah, who was then residing in Srinagar Colony in Saidapet, Chennai, had close links with Deenadayalan.
The Idol Wing, then headed by Inspector General Pon Manickavel, subsequently included Shah and his associate Kiran Rao as accused in the case.
In 2018, Idol Wing officials conducted searches at Shah’s residence and his farmhouses in Kancheepuram and Thanjavur districts. Antique temple stone idols and other artefacts allegedly worth around ₹100 crore were seized during the searches.
With Deenadayalan now deceased, the Idol Wing is proceeding with the investigation against Shah and Rao and is working towards filing a charge sheet before the court.
Five Vahanas Seized For ‘Examination’
According to Shah’s lawyer Thangarasu, the five wooden vahanas seized during the latest operation were among the artefacts that had previously been identified by investigators.
Speaking to reporters, Thangarasu said the police had earlier taken away several items for investigation but had been unable to transport the large vahanas at the time.
“Various items, including antique idols, had already been taken by the police for investigation. Since these vahanas were very large, they could not transport them initially, so they were kept here. Now they are taking them for further investigation,” he said.
He said the artefacts were being taken primarily for scientific examination, including carbon dating, to establish their age and assist the Idol Wing in completing its investigation and filing the charge sheet.
According to him, there was nothing improper about the seizure.
“They will return them. We will challenge it in court and get them back,” Thangarasu said.
Lawyer Disputes Valuation Of Artefacts
Thangarasu also disputed claims about the alleged value of the artefacts seized from Shah.
He said it was difficult to assign a specific monetary value to the vahanas, which he described as artefacts that had been auctioned by temples.
“No one can put a specific price on them. Different people would offer different estimates. Some of these items were acquired after temples auctioned them. They do not carry the exorbitant value that is often claimed,” he said.
Asked whether documentation existed for the temple artefacts, the lawyer said Shah possessed documents relating to the items and that the documents had been submitted before the court.
He also claimed that paperwork was available for all the idols that Shah possessed.
Lawyer Says 234 Idols Were Seized In Total
When asked about the number of idols previously seized, Thangarasu said he could not disclose all details because the investigation was still pending and the matter was before the court.
However, he stated that 234 idols were involved and claimed that documentary evidence existed for each of the idols possessed by Shah.
He said the defence would have to wait until the Idol Wing completed its investigation and filed the charge sheet before contesting the allegations in court.
“We cannot argue with the police. We have to wait until the investigation is complete and then fight our case. This will happen only after the charge sheet is filed. When the trial comes before the court, we can face it,” he said.
Charge Sheet Yet To Be Filed
The lawyer also questioned the delay in filing the charge sheet in the case, which originated in 2016.
He said Shah was out on anticipatory bail and remained in India.
Asked why the charge sheet had not been filed despite several years of investigation, Thangarasu said the delay was the responsibility of the police.
“We are constantly pressuring the court and asking why the charge sheet has not been filed yet. The judges are also speaking to the police about it,” he said.
He maintained that the case was still under investigation and that the defence could not comment on details while the matter remained sub judice.
Thangarasu also said that Shah was facing only one case in connection with the matter.
Lawyer Rejects Earlier Allegations
The lawyer further rejected allegations made against Shah during the earlier investigation, saying that the Idol Wing had exaggerated the claims.
He maintained that the artefacts possessed by Shah were supported by documentary evidence and that their provenance would ultimately be addressed during the court proceedings.
The latest seizure, he said, was only for examination and investigation purposes and was not an indication of any new development against Shah.
சிலை கடத்தல் வழக்கில் தொடர்புடைய சென்னை தொழிலதிபர் அலுவலகத்தில் இருந்து 5 பழங்கால பிரம்மாண்ட சிலைகள் மீட்பு!#Chennai | #Statues | #StatueRecovery | #PolimerNews pic.twitter.com/4iUnRVHPvs
— Polimer News (@polimernews) August 29, 2026
Shah And Rao’s Business Background
Ranvir Shah is a Chennai-based businessman and the founder of the Prakriti Foundation.
His associate Kiran Rao is also involved in several business ventures. Rao launched Amethyst Cafe on Whites Road in Royapettah, Chennai, in 2002. She has also been associated with Chamiers Cafe and Bhandej, as well as the Amrapalli Gold and Silver boutique in Nungambakkam.
The Idol Wing’s investigation into Shah and Rao remains pending, with the police expected to proceed with the charge sheet after completing the examination of the seized artefacts and other evidence.
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